Even if he's a brutal dictator he still relies on subordinates to carry out daily duties. The notion that he makes all decisions all the time is insane. Do I think he would allow subordinates to meet with other diplomats to get a line of communication going? Yeah, I do. He's done it in the past. He clearly trusts some people to do his bidding otherwise he wouldn't still be leader. Even if it's just fear...
Trump just got played. Everybody knows it. But I appreciate the effort.